I kick this idea around every once in awhile and while I'm up in the middle of the night (for me at least) I figured I'd ramble off a few points. Others should jump in with their perspectives too. BTW, this posting is not specifically sanctioned by Steph or Drew so it has no "official status" but I suspect they'll agree with much of it.

1) Participate on the forums: The forums have thousands of lurk-only members. Imagine the strength of all those people in providing information, assistance, or just spreading the word around about something.

2) Play nice when you participate: For a number of reasons, the internet has devolved to the point that almost anywhere you can participate, flame wars are common. ADT has always been much friendlier, even recently, than average but common sense and common COURTESY go a long way to keeping the place friendly as well as making it a safe haven for industry types who frequently lurk here.

3) Use the Price Search and Kickback: Guess how ADT pays the bills? That's right, through it's links to various stores. Drew's technical expertise, along with the cooperation of most of the very best online adult stores, combines to SAVE YOU MONEY! It's a win/win situation too because every time you save money by using the price search or other links here, ADT and the store make money too. The stores all have to meet, and maintain, certain standards or they are dropped from the site (how many other sites routinely drop affiliates?).

4) Be nice to affiliates: Along the same lines as number 3 above, consider that there's a difference between asking a question publicly after getting no response to a customer service inquiry in a timely manner and jumping down their throats because you didn't get the immediate gratification of an instant reply. If you don't call their 1-800 phone number but send an email instead, expect a few days before they get back to you. Another tip to consider, if you order with a particular email address, you might want to mention it, along with the order number and specific problem as well as a proposed solution, in your email to them. Doing so will usually result in exceptionally good responses. If you feel the need to complain, make your complaint logical and well reasoned before displaying your dirty laundry in the forums. Otherwise, you look like an idiot and the store's reputation may be adversely impacted without fair cause. Affiliates are, by their very nature, paying for the free parts of ADT. If they make mistakes, like the rest of us do, at least give them the opportunity to fix them first.

5) Review a few movies: You needn't stick to a particular format or design. Try and add at least a few good things about a bad dvd as well as a few bad things about a good dvd if possible. It enhances your credibility tremendously. By reviewing a lousy movie, for example, you are saving your buddies that read the review some money. By reviewing a good movie, you might help them find a great dvd to watch. No matter how much kidding some of us do with one another, almost all reviews are appreciated (company shills try and post reviews from time to time and are not welcome to do so though).

6) Use the ADT free email: When ordering stuff online, you may be treated better since they could be aware of the number of people here. Otherwise, it helps spread the word about the website.

7) Don't pawn yourself off as an "Official Representative" of ADT: Every page on the site has a link to the kids (ie: Steph and Drew) who will be quick to point out that you do not represent the site (unless you are doing so with their permission). No matter what you may have heard, the porn industry is rather small and many people know one another. They also share information with one another on a routine basis. Not surprisingly, they are used to being burned so they tend to check out claims before sending freebies these days. Besides that, you can do a lot of damage to ADT's reputation by inadvertantly interferring with delicate negotiations (ie: Steph and Drew are always exapnding the site's influence/adding affiliates/etc and if they need your help, they'll ask).

8) Wear an ADT T-Shirt or cap: It shows your loyalty to the website and may make you friends. Heck, earlier this week, I was practically mauled by a couple of cute strippers who saw my shirt. They asked about the site and figured I must know lots about sex after reviewing so many movies. (pssst:please don't tell them otherwise-thanks!) It also helps other people save money and find the site.

Well enough blabbering from me, anyone else?

Topic Moved by - Drew Black on Apr 20 2002